With Spring on the horizon, so are seasonal allergies. With so many health trends on the rise, studies have been popping up surrounding gut health and hay fever. Improving your gut health has been shown to reduce the symptoms of hay fever and seasonal allergies. So start working on those gut healing foods, or get tested for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and see what all the fuss is about!

Instructions:In a large soup pan, place the bones, apple cider vinegar, vegetables, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.Fill pot with filtered water until it covers the bones by an inch.Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to as low as your stove will go, while still bubbling slightly. Cover with lid (slightly ajar.)Cook for 24 hours for poultry bones or 48 hours for red meat bones. If cooking overnight makes you nervous, you can place the whole pot (covered) in the fridge and continue cooking in the morning.When cooking time is finished, strain the broth and transfer to mason jars. Store bone broth in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!

Can you still have a drink with a Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth diagnosis?

The SIBO Specific Food Guide shares that the occasional alcoholic beverage (in a moderate amount) is approved with a low FODMAP diet. Their recommended choices include bourbon, gin, vodka, whiskey, scotch and wine. It’s important to choose your alcohol and mixers carefully. Choose juices that are low FODMAP including pure cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, or carbonated water. Ensure to stick within the approved amounts of juice and liquor to not off set your stomach (ie: 1/2 cup of orange juice over a two hour period.) Another handy tip is to have a well-balanced low FODMAP meal before drinking, such as a chicken breast over a bed of mixed greens with a side of buttered squash. Drinking water will also help slow down the drinking process.

Dr. Alison Vandekerkhove from A New Leaf Naturopathic Clinic explaining the common causes of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, also known as SIBO.

SIBO is caused when the bacteria from the large intestine can migrate into the small intestine or even into the stomach. This migration of the bacteria is what actually causes the issue. In our system, we have an MMC (migrating motor complex) which works like a dishwasher. After we’ve eaten the MMC rinses through our system to keep the bacteria at bay. Anything that causes the bacteria to move or the MMC to stop working properly can cause SIBO.